It's just gone midnight on Thursday/Friday, I'm really...really...tired, and with so much stuff to do, including two shows to play this weekend (Lisburn tomorrow...er...tonight, and Larne on Saturday) I'm probably not going to be able to get near my blog until after Wrestlemania 24. So here, briefly, are my thoughts on how it's going to pan out. I'd like to state beforehand that I would love to be proven wrong with any of these thoughts, and they are just that. That would mean that the company are doing their job right, and swerving the fans off the scent. Plus, there are definately more than one possibility as to how the matches can end with a view to a longer term storyline. That's what makes it all the more watchable people!
MATCH 1: Beth Phoenix/Melina V. Ashley/Maria ('Bunnymania Lumberjack Match') This is, as usual with the WWE Women's division, a little bit of a nothing match. Especially seeing as Candice (who, after breaking her clavicle yet again) has been replaced at the last minute by Ashley. Maria is being pushed through the roof at the moment, especially because of her Playboy cover this month. Mickie James seems to have lost the push she was being given towards the women's title, as she never quite got close enough to Phoenix, and the WWE look set to run with Maria, as they're realising her drawing potential. Expect a Maria/Phoenix programme in the coming months. The most logical explanation for this would be the pushed Diva going over...but really, who cares? Prediction: Maria/Ashley Win.
MATCH 2: Finlay V. John 'Bradshaw' Layfield (Belfast Brawl) The build up to this particular match has been played really well by Finlay. The passion he's shown has made the fans believe in this storyline all the more. It's a shame that it's all over the little bearded-midget, but it should make for entertaining viewing nonetheless. JBL has had the upper hand in the weekly shows, assaulting and brutalising the vulnerable Hornswoggle when Finlay was powerless to help, so it makes sense that Finlay will get his own back in a big way at Wrestlemania, closing up the storyline. Prediction: Finlay Wins.
MATCH 3: 24-Man Battle Royal (Winner faces ECW Champion) This one could go one of many ways, and to be honest I haven't really thought about it at length, but with CM-Punk and John Morrison both tied up with the Money In The Bank match, I'm going to put my money on Kane. The other giants have a shot (Khali, Mark Henry and Daddy V were both in the match at last report), but Kane seems to be the experienced veteran who could run with the belt and possibly store credibility to the failing self-parody that is ECW... Prediction: Kane Wins (...and goes on to take the strap).
MATCH 4: Batista V. Umaga (Smackdown! V. Raw) Please feel free to take a moment and ignore the old cynic, but the battle for brand supremacy seems to be a last minute rushed storyline, crammed in so that Big Dave has something to do. He's arguably smackdown's biggest draw, and didn't have a role in the run up to 'mania. I really could care less who wins, because I think this match is going to be a horror-fest of slow moving Big Daveness, but if I had to pick a winner I'd go with him. He had the greatest match of last year's show, and indeed of the year, with Taker (as stunning as that sounds), so I think they'll let him have a chance to steal the show again this year. Umaga is like a mercenary heel on Raw. They may as well change his name to 'A Mystery Opponent'. I'd like to be pleasantly surprised by this match. Prediction: Batista Wins.
MATCH 5: John Morrison V. CM Punk V. Carlito V. Shelton Benjamin V. Mr Kennedy V. MVP V. Chris Jericho (Money In The Bank Ladder Match- winner gets title shot) Okay, let's look at this one logically. The ECW guys Punk, Morrison and Benjamin, although top-rate in their own class, are there as filler to this match. The concept of wasting such a big match for the sake of the ECW title just doesn't make sense, and the idea of one of these guys entering a main event programme makes even less. Punk will get his push someday...just not yet. Unfortunately. Carlito is still being subtly punished for trying to jump ship to TNA. He was persuaded to stay because the WWE sees a long term investment for him as they expand into south America. It's unlikely the company will go with him for a main event push, unless the latter means enough to them. Which it doesn't.
MVP is currently all over Smackdown restoring credability to the U.S. Championship, and is set (I hope) to enter the programme that he never had with Matt Hardy prior to Hardy's injury. It provided one of the best storylines of last year, and while it baffles me why Hardy isn't in the match, it's looking good in the long term for the pair of them. Speaking of currently holding belts, Chris Jericho (caretaker) has his newly acquired Intercontinental title to play with for now, and was rumoured to be on the verge of a long term feud with Jeff Hardy prior to his suspension. Creative are likely to pick it up and run with it on Hardy's return, so there's little need for Jericho to be climbing to the top again, so quickly after his return push with Randall K. Orton.
As you may have guessed by now, it's only Ken Kennedy for me in this match. Stripped of both his money in the bank win of 07', and of the main event storyline as Mr. McMahon's illegitimate son because of his Wellness Policy violations and subsequent mouthing off (all as a result of the Benoit tragedies), WWE looks ready (as the Finlay/Hornswoggle thing would indicate) to go with Ken again, and maybe even track back to the original plan. He's the most likely (and because Jeff's out for 60 days) only real possibility for Money In The Bank......Bank. Prediction: Mr. Kennedy Wins.
MATCH 6: Shawn Michaels V. Ric Flair (Career Threatening Match) It all seems to have boiled down to this one for the Nature Boy, and all indications point to him bowing out at Wrestlemania 24. He and Vince agreed to put their differences behind them and give Ric his last run as an active wrestler some time in the last year, and since then Ric has looked like he's been on his farewell tour. His tearful goodbye to MSG at this years Rumble should have been indication enough, but if it wasn't, how about his last Raw being in his home-state of Carolina. Not only that, but he got the pin...in the main event. Also worth noting, the small factor of Ric being inducted into the Hall of fame this year, on the eve of WM24.
Michaels has tried his best, and done well, at making a heel turn in time for this bout, but I think the fans are smart enough to know the score. However, JR has stated on a number of occasions that we should perhaps not take this match as a gimme. Don't put it past the WWE to throw the biggest curveballs into the most obvious of situations, but for me and for most, this is the end of Naitch. Prediction: Shawn Michaels Wins (...and not a dry eye in the house).
MATCH 7: Big Show V. Floyd 'Money' Mayweather (Boxer V. Wrestler...a.k.a the customary celebrity match) Big Show and Mayweather is the Trump/McMahon of 2008...and asides from being the money match this year, I don't really think there will be a lot to endear this match to the more experienced wrestling fan. Now, tradition dictates that the Celebrity (especially in this case when his job is to fight...in real life) gets the win at Wrestlemania, and it wouldn't be a surprise this year, as Show has been ambling around the weeklies cutting promos and trying to make the fans care. I don't hold out much hope for this being spectacular. Prediction: Mayweather Wins (...I'm just not sure how yet).
MATCH 8: Edge V. Undertaker (World Heavyweight Championship Match) This will be an interesting match. Both men have unbeaten streaks to preserve at Wrestlemania, and both men have pretty strong cases for going home with the Gold. My initial perspective was that the Undertaker was promised one last lengthy run with the title (i.e. his win at WM23), but injury prevented that. It makes logical sense then that he'd win it back this year and carry it until his retirement (rumoured to be next year). However, with Edge getting the upper hand on Smackdown last week, it leaves it wide open for Taker to end tomorrow night's Smackdown with the advantage (generally meaning that he would lose at Wrestlemania).
There's every possibility that this match can end in a curveball. Edge will sacrifice his unbeaten streak to save his title, going for the Disqualification and hence preserving Taker's 15-0 record. Taker can always win and close the storyline next month. It's a 50-50 for me, and because there has to be at least one great big screwover, I have a feeling this could be it. If I'm wrong, and I'd like to be, blame Con. Prediction: Undertaker Wins by DQ- Edge retains.
MATCH 9: HHH V. Randy Orton V. John Cena (WWE Championship Match) The bottom line here is this, Randy Orton is losing his title at Wrestlemania. Those of you who have followed backstage goings-on for the past while will know that HHH has been booked, literally since he returned and humiliated Booker T at Summerslam 07', to win the WWE title at WM24. The late addition of the seemingly invincible John Cena has cast doubts over this for me though, because I think the man is still the only one worthy of carrying the company at the moment. That's maybe a personal view though. I'd love to see John win the title back. Watching the twentysomething male 'smarks' get all hot under the collar is enough to keep me tuning in every week.
With that said though, sometimes it's good for business to have a top babyface chasing a heel champion...and I still think HHH's turn is on the way. One thing is for sure, this will be an interesting match, and it's not unlike WWE to change their plans last minute. It's a 50/50 between the two contenders, but I'm going for Hunter...perhaps against the more logical approach. Prediction: HHH Wins.
So, there you go. A quick overview of how I'm feeling as we countdown the last few days to the grandaddy of them all 08'. I will not be surprised if the majority of my predicitions are wrong, but that's how I'm feeling about the current state of things.
Wishful thinking is generally the opposite of reality when Vinnie Mac is involved. Expect something to happen.
I'm probably not alone as I type this, but as I got word from Con (my Sky+ has been on the blink, and I've missed a fortnight of wrestling) that Jeff Hardy was facing his second WWE-related suspension through violation of the Wellness Policy, my initial thought was "well Jeff, you've dug your own grave this time". I posted on my Bebo page that Hardy was a 'tool', because, personally I felt a little hard done-by that one of my favourite all time wrestlers (who has dwelled within the upper mid-card for years, and never really got the break he deserved) was a matter of months away from shattering that elusive glass ceiling, and had apparently felt content to throw it all away. It's not the first time he's acted thus either. Hardy's (not-helpful-in-his-chosen-career-path) occasional interest in recreational substances has been well documented in the past, and in terms of his contract with WWE, well, three strikes and you're out. Jeff's just hit strike two.
I realise now that my initial comments were insensitive, and it is a gross generalisation to make assumptions based on the little knowledge that the public have at present. Furthermore, it is unrealistic to expect someone not to have be human, and make mistakes, just because he or she appears on television. It has long been a downfall of man that we place those we look up to on a pedestal, and when they hit a rough patch or do something we disapprove of, it becomes all the more shocking. It is frankly unfair.
As if the man's life couldn't get any worse, a few days after Jeff was suspended and stripped of his IC title, it was reported to almost every industry news website online that his home in Cameron, North Carolina had burned to the ground, destroying everything that Jeff owned, including his beloved pet dog Jack. It's the kind of heartbreak that you could only find in a Kayfabe storyline, but the sobering reality is that this time, it's real. Worth mentioning, however, is the overwhelming support that Matt has poured onto his brother, only reinforcing the long-known fact that he is a stellar human being, both inside the ring and out. Matt has posted a blog on his official MySpace (you can read it on Gerweck.net) about the whole event, and if it doesn't sadden you just a little, I don't know what will.
Why this blog then? I just wanted to offer my two cents on the situation, and I guess I wanted to publicly show support for Jeff as he tries to rebuild what he has left of his life. This event could perhaps be the straw that breaks the camels back. This weeks poll on Gerweck asked if readers thought Hardy would ever get the main event push that he was in line for again, and a narrow 53% won with NO. I'd like to inject a little counter-optimism into proceedings though. The state of mind that he finds himself in right now just might light a fire under him and fuel a determination that he has not felt before. No-one would want to feel the way Jeff is feeling right now, and I only hope he can channel those feelings into something positive. Who are we to judge another man's downfalls? When an event like the house fire is set in contrast with his suspension, it only serves to show us what's important in life, and hopefully remind us that we ourselves have downfalls. Downfalls that, at one time or another during our life, we're bound to pay the price for. We'd like to think that our family, friends, well-wishers or otherwise would rally around us and see us back to 100%, I don't see why it should be any different for someone who gives so much to so many...
...one thing is certainly clear, the fans will still be there upon his return, to chant his name, and suspend disbelief for the high-flying rainbow haired warrior one more time.
On June 24th 2007, when one Chris Benoit, a legend in the wrestling business, and a WWE veteran at the time, killed his 7-year old son Daniel, and his Wife Nancy, before hanging himself on a weights machine at his home in Atlanta, the proverbial hit the fan. Once the dust had eventually settled on the confusion, the bitterness, and the mourning process it became clear that the steroid controversy would rage on for many months, even years to come. With that in mind WWE and it's fans slowly turned back to the matter at hand: wrestling.
As a result of the Benoit tragedy, the main storyline at the time, and one that WWE were ready to pick up and run with, was axed. Vince McMahon, who had been 'blown up' when his Limo exploded, broke kayfabe by appearing on Raw in an empty arena to deliver the news of the three deaths. The storyline, in what must have been a ridiculous hurry, was re-hashed, and we learned that Mr. McMahon had an illegitimate son. The to-ing and fro-ing went on for weeks until we finally were let in on the secret. Thats right, MISSTTEERRRR .....KKEEENNEEDDD...oh, wait....
As the steroid allegations came raining down like Benoit-fallout, many of the company's top guys were suspended under the WWE's 'Wellness Policy' (read: "keep your nose clean, Vince, Policy"), including the man who was allegedly lined up to be McMahon's son: Mr. Kennedy. So, what do we get? The 3 foot tall, bleach blonde, bearded leprechan, and then WWE Cruiserweight Champion (no, seriously), Hornswoggle.
you can actually see the company circling the drain in Vinnie's eyes...
Fast forward some eight months and here we are on the road to Wrestlemania. It is only now, almost a year since the death of Benoit, that the WWE is beginning to get back to business as usual. On Raw this week it was announced (SHOCK) by JBL the midget-beater, that Hornswoggle in fact is NOT Vince's son, but is the fruit of (Belfast's own) Finlay's loins. This of course has lead to the type of classic bad blood match that must be included somewhere on the undercard at each years mania.
[As a sidenote, Sky Sports 1, and World Wrestling Entertainment cannot be held responsible for any damage incurred to viewers eyes this past Monday as a direct result of Finlay's jumper choice.]
Could it be that now Ken Kennedy is keeping his mouth shut and his little blogging fingers still about his participation in aquiring steroids online ('absolutely not...oh wait, THOSE ones...let me explain') that he is going to get the mega-push that creative felt he was due, or will he continue to pay his dues to the higher mid-carders while the storyline is put to rest in that big old Wrestlecrap vault alongside 'The Katie Vick Incident', Mae Young and Mark Henry's...baby...and many, many more. Time will tell...
"roids...what roids?!"
In other news, business as usual seems to be returning to the comeback kids, as Chris Jericho and Trips look set to make their long awaited heel turns. It's a no-brainer to me that the fans love to hate these two men more than they love to love them, and it was great to see Jeff Hardy (the fan's babyface) plant Y2J with a Twist of Fate on the Highlight Reel. Only one thing remains to be done before the year can progress though, get Jeff in a programme to drop the I.C. belt before it becomes permanently lodged to his waist. The rainbow-haired warrior needs to shatter the glass ceiling and hit main-event status soon, or it may never happen.
HHH's turn (if indeed there will even be one) seems to be taking on a far more subtle approach though, and I find myself doubting if the writers will get him over as a heel when week after week he's laying out, and being laid out by whiter-than whitemeat babyface Mr. Cena. It wouldn't be a surprise to hear the 20-30 male demographic (the one that makes up most of WWE's viewing percentage) backing HHH even more, and pouring the heat onto John, especially when I'm almost sure he's due to pick up the WWE Championship again.
The road to wrestlemania's going to be an interesting one...
Welcome to the East Coast Wrestling Collective. My name is Joel. There's a profile for me over at the side. This blog is a combination of two interests in my life. One, obviously, is Professional Wrestling. The other being journalism. I'm going to be updating on a pretty regular basis. My life sometimes doesn't free up enough time for me to sit on the internet and regurgitate my opinions to anyone who will listen, but if there's something blog-worthy, I'm sure I'll cover it.
I'd really like for this blog to be about your participation as much as mine. If you have questions, or your own opinions on something I've written about (and I'm sure you will...), or even if you want to shout out your thoughts on what's going down in the weeklies or the PPV's, drop an e-mail to:
eastcoastwrestlingcollective@hotmail.co.uk
It can be about any company or brand, and if it's worth putting up here I'll quote it and credit it to you along with any internet link (your Bebo or Myspace etc) you want posted alongside it. My focus is mainly on WWE, so input about everything else will always be much appreciated. So with that out of the way, a little bit of background...
I've been a wrestling fan for as long as I can remember. When I was around five years old I recall my Dad taking me to some kind of wrestling show in the King's Hall in Belfast. I'm convinved it was WWF, because I'm sure I watched Tatanka and Kevin 'Diesel' Nash wrestle, although it could well have been one of those travelling promotions that dress wrestlers up like the current WWE main-eventers. I also remember buying my first wrestling magazine around this time. It had black and white pages. I think Bret Hart was on the cover. It was non-kayfabe, and I didn't have a clue what it was on about.
Over the years it's safe to say I've smartened up a fair bit. I spent the infamous 'Monday Night Wars' on the side of the WWF as the attitude era exploded, taking every young male teenage mind that I knew with it. It was incredible, everything a young teenage boy could have ever dreamed of. My brother and I would base our weekend around watching Raw Is War on a Friday night, and then the new show, Smackdown, on a Saturday Morning. As the new millenium arrived, we were just switching off the TV as Raw ended. That's dedication. I never liked WCW, and I'd seen very little ECW at this point. It was hard to find in Northern Ireland as far as I'm concerned.
During the disastrous Invasion angle that occurred between WWF/E and WCW, then eventually ECW, my passion for the art that I had grown up around began to dilute. It became painfully obvious that the Attitude Era was over, and without any real competition to spur it on, the WWE was becoming stale. It's ironic that the victory Vince McMahon spent years fighting for has been the catalyst that has sent his company into turmoil. The tri-branded split (Raw, Smackdown, ECW) was the only realistic move at the time, but the WWE has never fully recovered from toppling Ted Turner, Paul Heyman et. al.
So, where do I stand now? Well, I guess I'd better tip over this apple cart right from the get-go. Unlike many people who have known the industry that I knew as a kid, and are still around watching today (i.e. males over 20), I am PRO-JOHN CENA. That's right. I said it. Here's something I wrote on Bebo a few weeks back:
"Say what you want about Johnathan Cena, but I'm glad he's back. The problem with the WWE right now is that they don't have the all-rounder characters that made the attitude era so successful. Who on the roster now can cut a promo like The Rock could? Bar Y2J, and Mr. Cena...no-one. The man is a 24/7 work horse, and his in-ring ability, although not Benoit esque in it's technicality, is solid and clean, AND improving by the month...remember, 'Rocky Miavia' had to endure years of 'rocky sucks' chants as he tried to save face and pretend the smarks [probably the older brothers of the Cena-haters] loved him. He became one of the all time greats. Add 2 and 2 you swines."
The only man capable of carrying the company today...is that a sad reflection?
I think the WWE today is a sad state of affairs. The Benoit tragedy has certainly played a major part in this, but I think the fact that the company has no real competition (TNA are a few years off it yet...and no, I haven't forgotten about them) has led to poor booking, repetitive storylines and no real sense of direction. Vince McMahon's idea of wrestling, and that of the majority today, are somewhat different. With a few exceptions, gassed up roid' museums like Big Dave Batista and genetic freaks like The Great Khali are topping the bills at PPV's, while true fan favourites (or truly hated heels...and therefore still technically fan favourites), pure-wrestlers like Jeff Hardy, CM Punk, Chavo Guerrero, Shelton Benjamin, MVP and Jimmy Yang are left in Intercontinental hell, ECW hell, Smackdown hell and ridiculous gimmick hell respectively.
There are TWELVE, count em', TWELVE Pay-Per-Views in a year, with little incentive to buy into them save for the Rumble, Summerslam and the Grandaddy of em' all. Storylines are shoddy and short term, and we see the kind of matches at Raw or Smackdown that we are made to pay for at the end of every month anyway...so why bother?
...and this is only the tip of the iceberg. Bookmark this blog my friends.
With all of that said though, there are the occasional moments of genius, and the very rare 'mark-out' moment that make it all worthwhile (Jeff Hardy v. Y2J on Raw this week for instance), but I sense some re-formative years ahead for the backroom boys at Titan Towers. Watch this space...
So, welcome to the blog. Check back regularly, and get e-mailing. I figure we have a lot to talk about.
I've been following pro-wrestling since I was about 4 or 5, and over the years it has taken on a whole new persona in my eyes. Wrestling has gone from capturing my imagination in childhood, to fasinating me with the intricacies of the business, and the art form, in adulthood. This is a blog for news, views and anything else wrestling related.
Aside from that, I'm a musician in a band called Crimson Fight, and have major interest in Tattoos, alternative culture, music in all forms and sometimes surfing. When I can be bothered.
